Deborah iserves as EY’s Americas Industry Leader and the US Energy Leader. Deborah previously was the Houston Office Managing Partner, Managing Partner of the EY Americas Oil & Gas Tax Group and the Transactions Advisory Group in the Southwest Region where she focused on Energy transactions.

John Smyser is an Executive Vice President with BBVA Compass. Throughout his expansive 24 year career in banking, 20+ of those with BBVA Compass, he has served in numerous commercial lending roles including underwriting, relationship management, business development and credit approval.

John is currently Head of Energy & Utilities Investment Banking in SunTrust Bank’s STRH affiliate. Clients include companies in E&P, OFS, refining, midstream, utilities and generation, and major integrated segments. Prior to joining SunTrust in 1996, John was a Vice President in J.P. Morgan’s (Chemical Bank) Global Energy Group. Before Graduate Business School and starting a career in finance, John worked in consulting for a subsidiary company of Alliant Energy Corporation.

In his current role, he devotes his attention to serving as a member of the firm’s National Assurance practice assisting clients and engagement teams with the resolution of complex accounting issues and public company reporting requirements, as well as professional standards and firm policies.

Jonathan Newton heads the corporate section of the Firm's Houston office. Mr. Newton practices in the area of corporate law where he represents clients in a broad range of transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, securities offerings, Securities and Exchange Commission reporting obligations and corporate governance issues.

Prior to joining SCF, Sean was with Goldman, Sachs & Co. for 18 years and most recently served as head of Global Energy Investment Banking. Rice was a longtime member of the Merger Leadership Group and had previously served as Goldman’s head of Mergers & Acquisitions for the Global Energy Group.

Lawrence is a results-oriented senior executive with demonstrated successes in leading multinational companies through difficult strategic and operational transformations, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and restructuring crises.